Trump leans towards male press secretary as report reveals frontrunner in White House race

WASHINGTON,DC: President Donald Trump is leaning toward picking a man as his next White House press secretary, according to Fox News Digital report published Tuesday, November 10, which cited two people familiar with his thinking.

Conservative radio host and CNN commentator Ben Ferguson is reported among the leading names.

The job has been vacant since Katie Zacharia left after five days. The report said Trump has not made a final choice.

Ferguson leads a crowded field

According to Fox News Digital, Ferguson's name has reportedly been repeatedly floated to Trump by people within his circle as he considers candidates for the vacant position.

The report says Trump is inclined to appoint a man, a preference that several people around him have also encouraged.

Ferguson is reportedly among the leading contenders, although the president has not fully committed to his candidacy.

Trump is reportedly still weighing the decision, even as he looks to fill the vacancy soon.

Several women have also made the shortlist, but the report indicates that the next press secretary will most likely be a man.

Ferguson's support reportedly extends to senior White House officials, who have praised his willingness to confront media outlets critical of Trump.

One administration official reportedly described him as someone who routinely walks into the "Lion's den" to challenge media bias.

Another reportedly argued that the criticism Ferguson and fellow conservative commentator Scott Jennings receive from the left could prepare them for the hostility of the White House briefing room.

Jennings, a CNN contributor and former aide to President George W. Bush, is also reportedly being considered.

However, Trump is said to be undecided about his candidacy, with the report suggesting Jennings may not ultimately get the job.

Other names reportedly discussed for the position include White House Communications Director Steven Cheung, Breitbart chief Matthew Boyle and Ari Fleischer, who served as press secretary during Bush's first term.

A vacant podium after two quick exits

The opening follows two departures in less than two months.

Karoline Leavitt, the youngest press secretary in US history, announced on August 12 that she would step down at the end of the month to spend time with her young children.

She left on August 27 after about 19 months in the job. Trump said she would become an outside adviser.

Trump named Katie Zacharia as her successor on October 9. Zacharia came from Trump Media, the company that runs Truth Social.

Her first day was October 12, and she held one briefing the next day, lasting about 14 minutes.

Questions about her professional background, including her legal career, drew scrutiny, including from media.

On October 16, Trump told reporters he had urged her to reconsider the job, and she left that day.

Her five-day tenure is reported to be the shortest in the role's history. Trump said at the time there was no rush to replace her.

The last man to hold the job was Sean Spicer. He started in January 2017 and announced his resignation in July 2017.

Sarah Huckabee Sanders replaced him. Since then, the role has gone to a woman each time: Sanders, Stephanie Grisham, Kayleigh McEnany, Jen Psaki, Karine Jean-Pierre, Leavitt and Zacharia.

What remains to be seen is whether Trump settles on Ferguson, turns to someone else on the list or keeps the podium open.